No plan to probe soldiers' sex lives: Russia

Moscow, Jan 25 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russia's defence ministry Friday dismissed reports that it would seek to determine the sexual orientation of soldiers, and insisted it was only concerned with ensuring their good health.

Media reports earlier this week suggested that the military's new inspection guidelines would also include checks of soldiers' tattoos.

But a highly-placed defence ministry source told RIA Novosti the reports were inaccurate and commanding officers and their assistants would merely be concerned with "a soldier's health and his appearance".

Tattoos and bodily inspections were, he said, the responsibility of military doctors.